News & Announcements

Public Comment - Chapter 501
Posted by Meghann Andrews-Whitaker on 06/19/2013
The New York State Education Department is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to sections 200.7 and 200.15 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to Chapter 501 of the Laws of 2012 ("Protection of People with Special Needs Act"). The proposed amendment would conform State regulations to Chapter 501, which enacts into law various provisions of legislation for the protection of people with special needs, and the regulations, guidelines and procedures established by the Justice Center. The deadline for public comment is August 26, 2013. For more information, please see http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/comment/justicecenter-comment.htm
School District Data Profile for 2011-2012
Posted by Meghann Andrews-Whitaker on 05/22/2013
Public reports for each school district's Special Education School District Data Profile for 2011-12 are now available at http://eservices.nysed.gov/sepubrep/.

The reports display 2011-12 data results for students with disabilities (with links to prior years) for the following areas:
Enrollment & Classification Rate; Graduation Rate; Drop-Out Rate; State Assessments; Suspension Rate; Significant Discrepancy by Race/Ethnicity in Suspension Rate; School-Age Least Restrictive Environment (LRE); Preschool LRE; Preschool Outcomes; Parental Involvement; Disproportionality - Identification for Special Education; Disproportionality in Specific Disability Categories; Disproportionality in Special Education Placements; Timely Evaluations (Child Find); Early Childhood Transition; Secondary Transition; and Post-School Outcomes.
Amendment to FERPA
Posted by Meghann Andrews-Whitaker on 05/10/2013
Please see the P-12: Office of Special Education's News, Announcements and Timely Information Page for information on an amendment to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and share as appropriate.
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/timely.htm
NYSED Memo of Understanding
Posted by Meghann Andrews-Whitaker on 05/10/2013
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the New York State Education Department's Office of Adult Career and Continuing Education Services Vocational Rehabilitation and P-12: Office of Special Education regarding the joint responsibilities of each in the provision of transition services for students with disabilities related to post-school employment is available at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/transition/MOU-ACCES-OSE.htm.
For additional information, please contact the P-12: Office of Special Education at (518) 473-2878 or ACCES-VR at (518) 473-1626.
Please share as appropriate. Thank you.
Opportunities for Comment - Special Education
Posted by Meghann Andrews-Whitaker on 04/24/2013
Information related to two opportunities to provide public comment on proposed amendments to Regulations of the Commissioner of Education has been made available.
• NYSED proposes to amend the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education to conform to federal requirements relating to written notification and parental consent for the use of public benefits or insurance to pay for services under the IDEA. NYSED has scheduled three public hearing sessions to receive comments on the proposed amendments. For more information please see http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/comment/announcepublichearing-parentalconsent.htm
• NYSED is also seeking public comment on a revised proposed amendment to establish a New York State Career Development and Occupational Studies Commencement Credential for students with disabilities. For more information, please see http://www.p12.nysed.gov/specialed/comment/comment-CDOSCC.htm
Please share as appropriate. Thank you.
Service Delivery Survey
Posted by Meghann Andrews-Whitaker on 04/22/2013
The NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC), in collaboration with Cornell University’s Employment and Disability Institute, is interested in improving the services and supports available to siblings of individuals with intellectual / developmental disabilities (I/DD) in New York State.

Siblings are increasingly serving as the primary caregiver or advocate for their brothers and sisters who receive services from the NYS Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and their network of not-for-profit agencies. In an effort to enhance agencies’ ability to support siblings, we are conducting an online survey of the services and supports currently available to siblings of people with developmental disabilities as well as any future supports and training needs. Once the survey is completed, a report will be provided to the DDPC. Based on the data collected, needs and funding options will be considered.
The survey should be completed by an agency’s executive director or a designated staff person who is familiar with service delivery and the families to whom the agency provide services. Only one person per agency should complete the survey.
To access the Service Delivery Survey, please click on the following link:
https://cornell.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3JdWy1VRRwI2DwE
Completing the survey will take approximately 10 minutes. Please complete the survey by April 30, 2013. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact:
Nancy A. Hinkley
nah36@cornell.edu
Employment and Disability Institute
201 Dolgen Hall
Ithaca, New York 14853
t. 607.255.1109

Additional information regarding the project may be found at http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/edi/p-NYSSiblingNeedsAssessment.cfm
Your help and cooperation with the Sibling Service Delivery Survey will assist in the improvement of the system of supports and services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Thank you for your support of this endeavor.

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Welcome to Family Resource Network

Serving Individuals With Disabilities and Their Families

The Family Resource Network, Inc., (FRN) provides family support services to families who have a child with special needs. We offer a variety of services to families in Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga and Tompkins counties.

To read about our programs please click on the “Programs” link above. Our “News and Events” page will provide you with information about our trainings, conferences and support groups. Our Resources page contains resources for parents that are available locally, regionally and statewide. The “About Us” page provides information about our staff, board and mission as well as current employment opportunities. If you’d like information on how you can volunteer or make a donation visit our “You Can Help” page.

So grab a cup of coffee, sit back and have a look around!